What If…? Akira Kurosawa’s (Sort Of) Top 100 Films List

Okay, let me go ahead and admit up front that the headline up above is – in the best internet tradition – at least slightly misleading.

No, the acclaimed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa never made a top 100 films list. As his daughter, Kazuko Kurosawa states, “My father always said that the films he loved were too many to count, and to make a top ten rank.”

However, in the 1999 book A Dream Is a Genius, from which this list is taken, Ms. Kurosawa who actually compiled he list, based on discussions with her father about movies he loved, goes on to state “That explains why you cannot find in this list many of the titles of the films he regarded as wonderful. The principle of the choice is: one film for one director, entry of the unforgettable films about which I and my father had a lovely talk, and of some ideas on cinema that he had cherished but did not express in public. This is the way I made a list of 100 films of Kurosawa’s choice”

What makes this list even better than say a simple list of the great director’s 10 favorite films is that it not only is a fascinating insight into the mind and filmic influences of the great director, it includes thoughts from him on the films included.

This list is also a wonderful compilation of films that could be considered a great jumping off point for movie lovers wondering “What should I watch next?’ as well as a challenge to those who consider themselves knowledgeable about film.

I’m simply reproducing the list below, however, Kurosawa’s comments, translated from the Japanese by Noriyo Hoozawa-Arkenau can be found on this page at the Criterion Forum. I highly recommend that anyone wanting further insight into the thoughts of this always-fascinating director, or those simply looking for some very insightful comments on these movies go there and read the full post.

What’s it all about, Alfie?

Just a guy writing about movies. With maybe a little moosiness thrown in every once in awhile.

About Me and This Blog:

My name is Michael, and I'm located in Nashville, TN.

Like it says above, I don't consider myself a critic or a reporter, and this isn't set up to review the latest movie offerings, or to report on the latest happenings in Hollywood, because let's be honest, there are plenty of places you can find that kind of stuff. Instead, I'm just a guy with an eclectic taste in movies who likes to share the things that I find interesting, and write about the things that occur to me as I'm watching films. So one day you may find a post on whatever has just hit theaters, but you're just as likely to see something on 70s exploitation movies, classic horror or sci-fi films, movies from the silent era, or anything in between.

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